12 North American Cities to Find an IT Job in 2012 InfoGraphic

I stumbled upon this very interesting "infographic" about hot IT job cities for 2012...

To recap, the HOT cities for IT Jobs are:

Houston TX, Toronto ON, Orlando FL, San Francisco CA, Minneapolis MN, McLean VA, Walnut Creek CA, Detroit MI, Jacksonville FL, New York NY, Denver CO, and Boston MA.

Enjoy. :)

Source: Modis – IT Staffing Agency

 

How To Make Your First $1 Million - Investopedia Slideshows

The Millionaire's Mindset


When your grandparents lamented that a dollar just isn't a dollar anymore, they weren't just bellyaching. Inflation attacks the value of a dollar, reducing it as time goes by so you need more dollars as time goes on. That is one of the reasons that $1 million is often thrown around as a retirement goal. Back in 1900, a $1 million retirement would include a mansion and a bevy of servants, but now, it has become a benchmark for the average retirement portfolio. The upside is that it is easier to become a millionaire now than at any time before. While you won't be buying islands, it is still a goal worth shooting for.


From: How To Make Your First $1 Million - Investopedia Slideshows

Owning Your Career

Last week, I had the privilege to attend a career building event sponsored by my employer, Coca-Cola.  How very nice, I thought, to work for a company that is willing to pay for its employees to attend a workshop focused solely on their individual careers.

The purpose of the event was to map out the individuals' personality traits, strengths, interests and so on to determine the best career path to take.  Next, everyone focused on where they were in their careers and lives, to determine or re-evaluate their proper course, and to see if they needed to make a "course correction." 

Since the class had people at the beginning of their careers, some fresh out of college, to others looking at retirement in a few years (and all points in between), it was fascinating to hear everybody's perspectives on where they are and where they desire to be in both their work and personal lives. 

We started by breaking down ourselves, assessing the following:
I. Interest and skills:

• Realistic
• Investigative
• Artistic
• Social
• Enterprising
• Conventional

II. Working Styles:

• Expressive
• Amiable
• Driver
• Analytical

It came as little surprise to me that I am Social/Investigative, and that I am Expressive.  It did surprise me that I didn't have as many matches in the Analytical category as I thought I should have.  After all, I'm an Analyst by trade.  Perhaps I have evolved over time, and I'm not quite as critical or structured as I once was.  I do know that having children torpedoed my functional and organized environment!

These self evaluation tests were based on assessments formulated by The Ryan Group, leaders in human capital management solutions.  Another tool referenced by the class material is the book Don't Waste Your Talent: The 8 Critical Steps to Discovering What You Do Best.

I found the workshop to be both interesting and insightful.  At this point in my career, I may need to "tweak the ship's heading" just a little.  :-)

JM Kelly, The IT Entrepreneur

Wealth Preservation with... Gold?

Like the songs says "All That Glitters is Gold..."

With the economy still limping along, it seems that more investors are seeking safety in buying the shiny stuff.  If you watch (or listen) the CNBC, Bloomberg, or other financial networks, you know that every other commercial is someone trying to sell you Gold, Silver, Platinum or other precious metals.  There are even Gold-backed IRAs.

I remember when I was a boy during those long summer breaks, I would hear stock reports on the local news at lunch.  They would quote the price of gold, pork bellies, the Dow Jones Average and other things I really didn't understand.  However, I remember thinking that gold is pretty, everybody wants some, and it was only about $100 dollars an ounce. 

That was a lot of money to a pre-teen boy in the 1970s, but I could still put my head around it.  I would accumulate amounts like that doing odd jobs, and thought to myself "I could buy gold!".  I never did, of course, because I didn't know how to and grown-ups wouldn't take me serious anyway.  If only I had figured out a way...

Today, gold trades around $1200 an ounce.  It is fairly easy to buy, either in gold shares, bullion or coin form.  It is also easy to liquidate, unlike my other favorite asset, real estate.  Why not add some to my portfolio? 

I finally decided to act!  I contacted one of the gold merchants I heard on the media, and they sent me a nice PDF brochure explaining the process of gold ownership that I am sharing with you on this link:  www.pda400.com/PDF/GoldGuide.pdf

I don't think they'll mind some free advertising...

Once I buy, I'll share what the experience was like.  I'm also going to see how easy (or difficult) it is to sell the stuff in my local area.

Happy Prospecting!
JM Kelly, The IT Entrepreneur

Buffett on World's Growing Wealth

As always, I continue to follow the advice of highly successful people to emulate.  Warren Buffett is one of the people who I hold in high esteem.  Coming from a middle-class family to rise to one of the richest people on the planet is truly an amazing feet!

If you haven't done so already, I recommend reading (or listening to as I did) The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, which chronicles the life and rise of "The Oracle of Omaha".

Recently, I came across an interview in The Wall Street Journal entitled Buffett on World's Growing Wealth, in which Mr. Buffett details how he plans to convince America's billionaires to publicly commit to giving away at least half of their fortunes.

He is not only rich in wealth, but truly philanthropic as well.

JM Kelly, The IT Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs help Haiti Earthquake Victims

Sure movie stars and singers are helping Haiti; they are always first in line to help when tragedy strikes. But what about Entrepreneurs?

Being an entrepreneur is not just about capitalism, starting businesses, and profits. True entrepreneurs have felt hardship themselves at some point during their lives, and understand the importance of helping those in need during times of crisis.

As the world watches the terrible tragedy of the Haitian Quake unfold, relief agencies, governments, and entrepreneurs alike are taking action to give the Haitian People the humanitarian aid they so desperately need.

The following are entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial companies offering to help the people of Haiti, as well as agencies accepting donations should you wish to contribute.  Please share stories you find of other entrepreneurs giving to the cause.

Ted Turner, founder and chairman of the United Nations Foundation, donated $1 million to the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Digicel donates US $5 million to Haiti

Mobile phone company Digicel, which was founded by Irish entrepreneur Denis O’Brien, has announced it is to donate US $5m to support relief efforts in Haiti. (I saw Haitian kids on World News Tonight sporting Digicel T-shirts. Talk about free advertising…)

Go Daddy’s philanthropic CEO and founder Bob Parsons announced that Go Daddy will donate $500,000 to aid quake victims.

Musician and Haitian native Wyclef Jean, who established Yéle Haiti, tweeted, "Help Haiti Earthquake Relief Donate $5 by texting YELE to 501 501 right now please RT." You can follow him on his blog, and on Twitter at @wyclef

OK, so Wyclef is a musician (and has been criticized by some) but he got a mention for his use of technologies like blogging and Twitter to spread the word.

Saskatchewan Businessman Opens Wallet For Haiti: Frank Flaman donates $500,000 to relief effort.

A list of reputable relief agencies:

AMERICAN RED CROSS
Text “HAITI” to “90999″ to make a $10 donation.
2025 E Street
NW Washington, DC 20006
(800) REDCROSS (733-2767)

AMERICARES
88 Hamilton Avenue
Stamford, Conn. 06902
(800) 486-4357

CARE
151 Ellis Street
Atlanta, Ga. 30303
(800) 521-CARE (521-2273)

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA/MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES (MSF)
333 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10001-5004
(888) 392-0392

INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES
P.O. Box 630225
Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225
(877) 803-4622

INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
122 E. 42nd Street
New York, NY 10168
(877) REFUGEE (733-8433)

MERCY CORPS
Dept. W P.O. Box 2669
Portland, Ore., 97208-2669
(888) 256-1900

OXFAM AMERICA
226 Causeway St., 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02114-2206
(800) 77-OXFAM (776-9326)

PARTNERS IN HEALTH
P.O. Box 845578
Boston, MA 02284-5578
(617) 432-5256

THE SALVATION ARMY
615 Slaters Lane
P.O. Box 269
Alexandria, VA 22313

SAVE THE CHILDREN
Haiti Earthquake Children in Emergency Fund
54 Wilton Road Westport, Conn. 06880
(800) 728-3843

WORLD VISION
Haiti Earthquake Relief
P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way
Wash. 98063-9716
(888) 511-6548

U.S. FUND FOR UNICEF
125 Maiden Lane
New York, N.Y. 10038
(800) FOR-KIDS (367-5437)

Lower Credit Card Interest Rate to Reduce Debt

According to bankrate.com, the average credit card interest rate for a "Balance Transfer Card" is 13.74%. The average interest rate for a "Low Interest Card" is 9.23%. Why in the world would someone carry a card with these interest rates?

Because of bank card voodoo that my own bank pulled on me, I was forced to scour the Internet looking for a better deal. Here's what I found: Simmons First Bank out of Arkansas.

For a balance transfer Visa Platinum card, they offer a fixed rate of 7.25%! This card also comes with NO ANNUAL FEE!

To apply online, go to: http://www.simmonsfirst.com/personal_banking/credit_cards/visa_platinum.aspx

Remember, to pay off credit card and other debt, attack the highest interest rates first with extra payments and pay the minimum on the others. This technique will systematically pay off your debts and free up monthly cash flow sooner.

JM Kelly, The IT Entrepreneur